Lulu Global Distribution: Eligibility, ISBNs & Approval

What Global Distribution means

Lulu can submit eligible books through retail channels such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Ingram/LSI. This is a separate service from selling through Lulu’s own bookstore. Submission is followed by Lulu and retailer review; availability is not immediate or guaranteed. Being listed or orderable also does not guarantee that a physical bookstore will stock your book.

Check eligibility before you design

1. Confirm the exact product. Use the distribution-eligible options in Lulu’s setup/calculator. Binding, trim size, page count, ink, language, content, and retailer rules all matter.
2. Know the exclusions. Coil binding and saddle stitch are excluded. Lulu’s current requirements also exclude Premium Black & White interior ink for distribution. Color books need at least 72 pages for Amazon acceptance under the current guide. Check the official requirements for the complete rules.
3. Check the channel. Lulu describes eligible perfect-bound paperbacks as available across its distribution channels, while eligible casewrap/linen-wrap hardcovers go through Ingram/LSI rather than direct Amazon distribution. Do not promise identical availability for every edition.
4. Avoid duplicate distribution. Lulu’s current mandatory requirements say titles already listed on Amazon or another retailer are not eligible for its retail distribution. If your edition is already distributed elsewhere, ask Lulu about eligibility before adding a second submission. Do not retire an existing edition or replace an ISBN without understanding the consequences.

Prepare ISBN, metadata, and files

Global Distribution needs an ISBN. Lulu offers a free ISBN tied to its imprint; an ISBN you obtain from your national agency lets you use your own registered imprint, subject to validation. The choice depends on your publishing goals. A free Lulu ISBN cannot simply move to another publisher. Keep the title, subtitle, author, edition, imprint, and ISBN consistent in the project, title/copyright pages, cover, and barcode. Follow the current content and file requirements, including eligible language and the platform’s AI-content rules.

Lulu may supply different cover templates for its own print network and distribution printers. Follow the project’s template requests; do not assume one cover file fits both. Use our Lulu file and proof lesson first.

Submit and follow the approval process

1. Choose Publish Your Book and enable Global Distribution for an eligible project. Complete the required metadata, files, categories, audience, pricing, and payee details.
2. Review all costs before checkout. Lulu currently lists a one-time, non-refundable distribution review fee of US$4.99 for an initial submission; verify the live amount/currency. Proof printing, shipping, and applicable taxes are separate.
3. Order the required physical proof. Inspect it before choosing Approve Proof Copy, even if that button appears earlier. If you revise the interior or cover, follow the new-proof requirement.
4. Approve the correct proof version in My Projects. Lulu reviews technical/content compliance, then retailers make their own acceptance/listing decisions. Respond to any rejection email by fixing the specific cause.
5. Allow substantial lead time. Lulu currently says the full process can take at least 12 weeks, sometimes longer. A Pending status is not a confirmed live retailer listing. Verify the actual listing before announcing retail availability.

What if it is rejected?

Save the rejection notice and identify whether it concerns files, metadata, content, or format eligibility. Correct the underlying source rather than repeatedly submitting unchanged PDFs. Paying a review fee does not guarantee retailer acceptance. Check the current guidance before changing specifications because distribution projects can have restrictions after publication.

Watch the official walkthrough

Official walkthrough linked from Lulu’s mandatory requirements. Review it before submission, then confirm current fees, proof requirements, and eligibility in the linked guide.

Watch: Lulu’s Global Distribution Process ↗

Opens an external video. Written instructions remain available above.

Official help and current specifications

Global Distribution process ↗ · Mandatory distribution requirements ↗ · ISBN and periodical guidance ↗ · Cover files and templates ↗

Download Lulu’s distribution-eligible products guide (PDF) ↗

Completion checklist

0 of 5 checked

• I checked format, language, content, and existing-listing eligibility.
• My ISBN, imprint, cover, and metadata match.
• I budgeted for review, proof, delivery, and potential revisions.
• I received and inspected the physical proof before approval.
• I will verify retailer listings rather than treating submission as a launch.

Selections save on this device only. They are not synced or backed up.